Home / Arts and Entertainment / Greek Garden Blooms After 80-Year Wait
Greek Garden Blooms After 80-Year Wait
5 Jun
Summary
- A long-dreamed-of Greek-inspired garden is now complete.
- The Sissinghurst garden struggled with climate for decades.
- Over 6,000 Mediterranean plants now thrive there.

A garden concept, first imagined in 1935 by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, has now been fully realized at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent. The "Delos" garden, inspired by their visit to Greece, was previously deemed unsuccessful due to the local climate and north-facing exposure.
Following work that recommenced in 2018, the final elements of this Greek-inspired garden have been completed and opened to the public. Gardeners express satisfaction that the space now appears beautiful and is thriving, even during periods of high temperatures.
The reimagined garden boasts approximately 6,000 plants typically found in the Mediterranean. These include species like pomegranate, cork oak, and cypress trees, which have shown resilience during recent warm weather, unlike other plants at the Grade I-listed site.
One notable addition is a "ravine-like portal" filled with dry and shade-tolerant plants, replacing a former garage. This area draws inspiration from plants found in the deep gorges and shaded ravines of Greek islands, aiming to create a unique and enduring landscape.